If you’ve mastered “break the ice,” “spill the beans,” and “beat around the bush,” it might be time to expand your vocabulary with some unusual, rarely heard phrases. These expressions may not pop up in everyday conversation, but they’re rich in history, color, and charm—and they’ll definitely make you sound more fluent and interesting.
Here are 10 uncommon English phrases that even native speakers don’t always know, along with their meanings, origins, and how to use them.
1. To throw one’s cap over the windmill
Meaning: To take a bold, reckless risk
Example: “He threw his cap over the windmill by quitting his job without a backup plan.”
Origin: Possibly British or Irish, this idiom paints the image of tossing a hat into the wind—once it’s gone, there’s no getting it back. It signals commitment to a daring choice.
🔗 Read more at The Phrase Finder
2. To dine with Duke Humphrey
Meaning: To go without dinner (i.e., to be broke or hungry)
Example: “If I don’t get paid today, I’ll be dining with Duke Humphrey again tonight.”
Origin: 17th-century English. The expression refers to loitering around Duke Humphrey’s tomb in St. Paul’s Cathedral, where poor people would pretend to wait for company.
3. To keep a weather eye open
Meaning: To remain watchful or alert
Example: “Keep a weather eye open for phishing scams in your inbox.”
Origin: A nautical phrase used by sailors, referring to scanning the horizon for signs of storms or trouble.
4. To get one’s dander up
Meaning: To become angry or agitated
Example: “Don’t talk politics around her—you’ll get her dander up.”
Origin: American English, possibly linked to “dander” as a metaphor for one’s temper or courage rising.
5. To be all mouth and no trousers
Meaning: To talk big but fail to act
Example: “He always says he’ll help, but he’s all mouth and no trousers.”
Origin: British slang, especially in northern England. Similar to “all bark and no bite.”
🔗 BBC Learning English – British Slang
6. To set the Thames on fire
Meaning: To achieve something amazing (often used ironically to mean the opposite)
Example: “He’s good at his job, but he’s not exactly setting the Thames on fire.”
Origin: Old British phrase, probably sarcastic in nature, implying grand ambition or underwhelming success.
7. To have a frog in one’s throat
Meaning: To have a hoarse voice or trouble speaking
Example: “Excuse my voice—I’ve got a frog in my throat this morning.”
Origin: Possibly from the croaky sound of a hoarse voice, though it’s metaphorical—not medical.
8. To ride for a fall
Meaning: To behave in a way that’s bound to lead to failure
Example: “He’s ignoring all the signs—riding for a fall if you ask me.”
Origin: British English, possibly from horse-racing, where a reckless rider is doomed to tumble.
9. To fly in the ointment
Meaning: A small defect that ruins the whole thing
Example: “Everything was perfect, but his lateness was the fly in the ointment.”
Origin: Biblical origin (Ecclesiastes), referring to perfumed ointment spoiled by a single fly.
10. To cut the Gordian knot
Meaning: To solve a difficult problem in a bold or unconventional way
Example: “Instead of debating all day, she cut the Gordian knot and made the call.”
Origin: From the legend of Alexander the Great slicing through an unsolvable knot rather than untying it.
Why Learn Uncommon Phrases?
While common idioms help you blend in, uncommon phrases help you stand out. They make your speech or writing:
- More expressive
- More culturally rich
- More impressive in academic or literary settings
Plus, many of these phrases carry stories and character that modern slang simply can’t match.
Where to Find More Unusual Phrases
- Old books and literature
- Shakespeare and classical texts
- British comedy shows
- Historical fiction and period dramas
For a treasure trove of obscure expressions, visit:
🔗 World Wide Words
Final Thoughts: Add Some Spice to Your English
Learning uncommon English phrases isn’t just for showing off—it’s about deepening your connection to the language. These expressions carry history, humor, and a sense of surprise that makes your communication richer and more engaging.
So the next time someone frustrates you, don’t just say you’re annoyed—say they’ve got your dander up.
And if you decide to chase your dreams? Toss your cap over the windmill—and don’t look back.
